Chiricahua Peak in the Chiricahua Mountains is another big Arizona mountain with no real summit qualities. Grasslands and desert cover the base of the range, with ponderosa pine and Douglas fir at the highest elevations. The summit is marked by a benchmark in a boulder situated at the base of a large tree. First Visit, February 2000: I was here in January to hike Chiricahua Peak, intending to hike the Crest Trail from Rustler Park. Three hundred and seventy-five avian species have been recorded from the Chiricahua Mountains; some are largely Mexican species for which southern Arizona is the northern limits of their ranges. I salvaged the day with a drive up the Coronado Highway and a visit to the Greenlee County Highpoint, plus a speeding ticket. If I could get us there, our hike would be relatively short. We suited up and got things in order, starting the hike at 9:10 a.m. There are other sites in Turkey Creek and along Rucker Canyon Road. Map includes a larger scale (1:40,000) inset of the Cave Creek Canyon and Rustler Park areas. The creek itself had running water down low, fed by springs. I make my way through the burned forest Another option are the two Mormon Creek routes, which start lower down. My. The road segment to Long Park is rough, needing 4-wheel drive, but I took it slow and we arrived at Long Park in cool, clear conditions. Our "hunt" had been a success. The range contains 85 named peaks and lies within the Basin and Range Province. We drove the roads and took a walking tour of Faraway Ranch, the home of the Ericksons, homesteaders whose efforts led to the formation of the Chiricahua National Monument years later. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. [2], Following the transition to ceramics,[3] artifacts characteristic of both Mogollon culture and its local variants, the Mimbres culture, are found. Photo by Michael Wilson at swbiodiversity.org. Chiricahua National Monument has a great variety of trees and shrubs. We hiked up the easy grades, took a breakfast break, and followed the trail past Anita Springs and directly up to the summit, 3.5 miles and 2 hours after starting, in exquisite weather. it's kind of hard to find where it starts back up. All Rights Reserved. Chiricahua Mountains is a range in Coronado National Forest, Chiricahua Wilderness, Chihuahuan Desert, AZ. I left home at 4:15 a.m. and arrived to the range by 8:00 a.m. It is flat for a few hundred yards, then swings left, where a sign mentions the distance to the peak as 5 miles. We enjoyed ourselves and it was nice to be back, especially with B.. After about 20 minutes, we started the leisurely hike out, following the same route as we took coming up. Quality of the trail ranged from good to scant. Address. Distance: 2 miles The range is a result of a massive volcanic event, the Turkey Creek eruption, from 27 million years ago. I took the "lower" one, the one literally in the creekbed (the "upper" one's trailhead is about a half-mile west of the lower's trailhead, but there is no convenient parking for that trailhead). The mountains contain Precambrian basement rocks, Paleozoic and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks around a caldera complex formed by volcanic eruptions and intrusions 3525 million years ago. I have climbed the peak twice, in 2000 by myself, and again in 2003. Read more to find out how. Conditions: Cold and icy in 2003, drier and nippy in 2003 From Long Park, we followed a mostly-level trail south for two-thirds of a mile to the Crest Trail (Trail 270). beltane edition may 1, 1984 the no-compromise environmental journal vol. I followed Turkey Creek Road into the range to the Mormon Creek trailhead area. For the first time I had an actual view of the peaks above me, although Chiricahua's summit was still hidden by trees. Another option are the two Mormon Creek routes, which start lower down. Date: November 9, 2003 As you enter the monument from the west, you will drive through grasslands with over 50 species of grasses, as well as many cacti and succulent species of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. LoJ However, I could readily see some of the nearby peaks such as Anita Peak. The high point in the Chiricahua Mountains - Chiricahua Peak - is 9,795 feet (2,986 meters) above sea level. We suited up and got things in order, starting the hike at 9:10 a.m. The mountains and the eponymous highpoint get their name from the Chiricahua band of Apache Indians, who lived and roamed these lands for centuries before becoming part of the United States after the Gadsden Purchase in 1854. From here it was a consistently moderate uphill grade along nice wide trail. Leave US-191 at AZ-181 and proceed due east through Sunizona. After a mile, the trail came to a spring and remnants of an old pump station. A not well-maintained trail, not recommended. The range is a result of a massive volcanic event, the Turkey Creek eruption, from 27 million years ago. The weather had been mild and I hoped the snow had melted off. In addition, Willcox Playa is visible in the basin below. Later that afternoon, we made another 3-mile hike to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site, where the Army set up camp to help fight the Apache Wars against Cochise and Geronimo. Quality of the trail ranged from good to scant. The ruins of a once-thriving sugarcane plantation that was burned in the Second Seminole War. Broadly speaking, there are six basic plant communities, and each supports a unique subset of birds." It grows in three Sky Island mountain ranges, scattered locations in Texas, and in Mexico. Led at first by Chief Cochise (for whom the county is named), and after Cochise's death, by Geronimo, the Apache, numbering just a few hundred, fought vigorously and remained at large until 1886, when Geronimo was captured. At the top, the trail began a short but steep series of switchbacks. The 8-mile paved scenic drive and 17-miles of day-use hiking trails provide opportunities to discover the beauty, natural sounds, and inhabitants of this 12,025 acre site. Chiricahua Peak is the name of a 9,763 feet (2,976m) peak located in the Chiricahua Mountains of southeastern Arizona, located about 35 miles (56km) north of the United StatesMexico border. Distance: 2 miles Main Experience this 8.6-mile out-and-back trail near Rodeo, New Mexico. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. Easily find land for sale at LANDFLIP.com. Parts were nice, parts had downed trees and branches obstructing the way, and all of it was covered under a heavy mat of pine needles, cones and leaves. Some deadfall to work around as get near top of Mormon canyon trail before turning off to the peak. Want to report conditions for this trail? A talus field (with no trees) allowed for excellent views all the way down to the desert floor. Chiricahua Mountains The exit took 90 minutes, and our hike had required just 4 hours. This home is located at 10163 E Trailhead in Gold Canyon, AZ and zip code 85118 in the Peralta Trails neighborhood. The item Geologic map of the Chiricahua Peak quadrangle, Cochise County, Arizona, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey ; by Edward A. du Bray and John S. Pallister represents a specific, individual, material embodiment of a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Indiana State Library. I arrived back to my truck at 2 p.m. Like my first time here, the top is wooded and blocks most views. It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. Second Visit, November 2003: and I planned to hike another Arizona county highpoint while the weather state-wide remained mild. For the first time I had an actual view of the peaks above me, although Chiricahua's summit was still hidden by trees. I tried to go underneath as often as I could, preferring not to touch or put any weight on these massive logs. Our programs are fun, informative, and free! a preserved antebellum-era plantation in the country. With this ascent, I had my 11th Arizona County highpoint completed, a task I would finish a few months later. Phone +1 520-824-3560. We followed the Crest Trail south, contouring past Flys Peak, coming to a meadow at Round Park, then contoured around smaller peaks before coming to Cima Park ("Park" is used in these cases to refer to saddles along the range crest). Forest fires are weird for sure. Hot dry exposed the whole way but trail clear. I had a choiceloop south then east and approach the summit from the southeast, or loop north. Prominence: 5,139 feet Min. Chiricahua Peak Weather Forecast, AZ - WillyWeather F 2 9:16 pm 21 Feb Relative Humidity 76% Rain Today 0.1in (0in Last Hour) Wind SW 8.1mph Dew Point 37.9 F Pressure 1009.5 hPa Hottest 87.8 F Pohnpei Island, HI Coldest -40 F WEST DELTA OIL PLATFORM, LA Windiest 55.2mph Mount Washington, NH Wettest (Last Hour) 0.1in I eased the truck down the road and from Rustler Park, we drove down to the Chiricahua National Monument. [17], With the base of the Chiricahuas at about 3,600 feet (1,100m),[18] the range covers about 6,000 feet (1,800m) in elevation. . last edited: 10/10/16 published references on the geology of the Chiricahua Mountains *Badger, S.S., 1911, The Chiricahua Mountains: Engr. It was hunting season and we came upon a father and son sitting along the trail, rifles on their laps. It is the highest summit in the Chiricahua Mountains and the highest point in Cochise County. Click to find out more! This peak offers excellent scenic views. I arrived back to my truck at 2 p.m. The weather had been mild and I hoped the snow had melted off. 10139 E Circlestone Ct, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118. The highest portions of the range are rounded summits while lower down, the range is surrounded by interesting gardens of hoodoos and spires, best exemplified by the Chiricahua National Monument, an area of fascinating rock spires and hoodoos, and well worth a visit. There aren't any views from the summit, unfortunately. 1) is east-southeast of Tucson, Ariz., in the Chiricahua Moun tains. The Chiricahua Mountains massif is a large mountain range in southeastern Arizona which is part of the Basin and Range province of the west and southwestern United States and northwest Mexico; the range is part of the Coronado National Forest. They had come up the upper Mormon Creek trail and they mentioned there were good views along this route. When it settles, it "welds" together to form tuff, which erodes easily into rounded domes and interesting spires. You can now make campground reservations online. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. Please correct me if I'm mistaken. I went in February after a month-long dry spell and encountered just patches of snow and ice near the top. The trailhead's elevation is approximately 6,400 feet. Find a trail and get outside! Scrambling through hundreds of trees on their sides is quite difficult, the tangle of logs and branches nearly impenetrable. Cave Creek Canyon on the east side is home to the American Museum of Natural History Southwest Research Station and the small towns of Portal and Paradise. Where AZ-181 makes a hard bend left, stay straight, now on dirt Turkey Creek Road. The systematics and natural history of thirty-eight North American (Canada, USA and Mxico) species of the genus Crematogaster are discussed and the distributions are mapped. Arizona The road requires high clearance and 4wd is recommended. In 2007 there were about 14,000 speakers of Western Apache, about half of whom belong to the White Mountain Apache tribe and can be found on the Fort Apache Reservation. Geography Geology Ecology The weather was spectacularbreezy and cool, but not cold. Thankfully, this segment wasn't too long and soon I arrived at the summit, exactly three hours after starting my hike. I stayed 15 minutes at the top. The Chiricahua Mountains are a large mountain massif located in the southeastern part of the US state of Arizona. The Pedregosa Mountains are found at the southern end of the Chiricahua Mountains, while the Swisshelm Mountains are located to the southwest. 2:30 Ascent; 1:30 Descent. View more homes. Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. The NM features thousands of eroded tuff spires and hoodoos, similar (but different in origin) to those you would see in Utah at Bryce Canyon. The exit took 90 minutes, and our hike had required just 4 hours. (29), Comments Crossing these obstacles was easy at first, but soon, especially on the final approach heading south of the saddle to the peak, the quantity of deadfall was enormous. We drove the roads and took a walking tour of Faraway Ranch, the home of the Ericksons, homesteaders whose efforts led to the formation of the Chiricahua National Monument years later. LoJ Since you're in the area, definitely spend a day in the Chiricahua National Monument. Dates: (1) February 20, 2000; (2) November 8, 2003 After gathering my gear and talking with some guy camping, I hit the trail. capture, and kill Chiricahua Apache when they could. Neither I nor the webhost can be held responsible for unfortunate situations that may arise based on these trip reports. Elevation: 7,310 feet The day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. Chihuahuan desert scrub is characterized by shrubs such as, creosote, whitethorn acacia, sandpaper bush, and tar bush. [1] I took the "lower" one, the one literally in the creekbed (the "upper" one's trailhead is about a half-mile west of the lower's trailhead, but there is no convenient parking for that trailhead). We spent a little more time here, trying to see things from various points around the summit area. From Tucson, proceed east by car on Interstate highway 10 to the small town of Willcox and Arizona highway 186, then follow SR 186 south for 32 miles to SR 181, which leads to the entrance. At the top, the trail began a short but steep series of switchbacks. However, I could readily see some of the nearby peaks such as Anita Peak. Chiricahua offers a range of day hiking options from easy to strenuous. Gain: 500 feet MM BH Pass . The weather had been mild and I hoped the snow had melted off. The Chiricahua Peak quadrangle includes the crest of the Chiricahua Mountains and offers unusual ecologic diversity that ranges from Sonoran desert through . Then, I met the love of my life, married her, and we came back in November 2003 for another visit, her first time in the range. Kudos! I took the "lower" one, the one literally in the creekbed (the "upper" one's trailhead is about a half-mile west of the lower's trailhead, but there is no convenient parking for that trailhead). I hiked a mile in soft snow, but the snow was up to my hips. Southeast Arizona, and Chiricahua in particular, is a premier birding area of the country. The day was mild but cold, and snow from a recent storm still everywhere. The Chiricahua Mountains dominate southeast Arizona. Centella Point, Chiricahua Peak and Flys Peak, are within easy distance along connecting trails. The trail begins at the end of the Sycamore campsites off a spur from Turkey Creek Road. We drove out to our hotel in Willcox the day before, and enjoyed some authentic Mexican food for our pre-hike dinner that night. We drove out to our hotel in Willcox the day before, and enjoyed some authentic Mexican food for our pre-hike dinner that night. Led at first by Chief Cochise (for whom the county is named), and after Cochise's death, by Geronimo, the Apache, numbering just a few hundred, fought vigorously and remained at large until 1886, when Geronimo was captured. Turn right (south) on AZ 186 and continue for 23 miles. "Chiricahua National Monument Geology Footnotes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chiricahua_Peak&oldid=1114269427, This page was last edited on 5 October 2022, at 17:10. Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. Gelemenovo is a village in Pazardzhik Municipality, Pazardzhik Province, southern Bulgaria. Lots of down pines block the trail. The next day we returned to the Monument and did two hikes: a 3.5-mile loop through the Heart of Rocks and its spectacular rock formations, and a 2-mile hike up Sugarloaf Peak. Page 149 of 149. Access to the Chiricahua Mountains and Coronado National Forest is through Willcox from the north, Douglas from the south, and Rodeo from the east. Check out our basemaps. I have climbed the peak twice, in 2000 by myself, and again in 2003. I wasn't keen on battling this for another five miles, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck. We enjoyed ourselves and it was nice to be back, especially with B.. After about 20 minutes, we started the leisurely hike out, following the same route as we took coming up. Chiricahua Mountain Range (massif), and its sub-Ranges, with the bordering valleys. Distance: 11 miles in 2000, 7 miles in 2003 With maps in hand, you have a choice of trailheads. Then the trail parallelled the creek on the right as one faces uphill. We drove the roads and took a walking tour of Faraway Ranch, the home of the Ericksons, homesteaders whose efforts led to the formation of the Chiricahua National Monument years later. Crossing these obstacles was easy at first, but soon, especially on the final approach heading south of the saddle to the peak, the quantity of deadfall was enormous. From Willcox the drive is about 35 miles to the start of the dirt road, and another 14 miles to the Rustlers Park campground. Then, I met the love of my life, married her, and we came back in November 2003 for another visit, her first time in the range. I met with a couple of hikers at Point 8,700, the only people I saw the whole day on the route. Because of this, over 1000 plant species grow within the Monument's boundary, and many are endemic only to the Chiricahua Mountains. Very slow going when you have to crawl under, and over all the fallen trees. Main The Forest Service has done a superb job in removing the deadfall that blocked so many of the trails, especially the final spur to the summit. Time: 1 hour 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Vehicles longer than 24 feet (RV or vehicle + trailer) are NOT permitted on the scenic drive beyond the campground. Small cactus are present in this zone like prickly pear, cholla, barrel and hedgehog cactus. It was so nice, I laid in the bed of my truck and took a catnap for a half-hour before packing up, changing into dry clothes and proceeding home. We drove the roads and took a walking tour of Faraway Ranch, the home of the Ericksons, homesteaders whose efforts led to the formation of the Chiricahua National Monument years later. Visit the Faraway Ranch Historic District to discover more about the people who have called this area home. Chiricahua National Monument. Sugarloaf Peak [14] Five of the 9 life zones[15] are found in the Chiricahua Mountains. Going up and over them was often impossible. The benchmark's elevation is listed as 9,795 feet, which is probably a mistake. Subsequently, the Cochise culture another pre-ceramic based culture spanning 3000200 BCE was defined from sites around the Chiricahua Mountains, including Cave Creek Canyon. I know of no special fees other than the normal campsite fees. The quadrangle is located about 70 km southeast of Willcox, Ariz. Make Your Campground Reservations You can now make campground reservations online. The other notable attraction in these mountains is the Chiricahua National Monument, which features thousands of spires and "hoodoos", formed by the erosion of the tuff that resulted from the eruption. With this ascent, I had my 11th Arizona County highpoint completed, a task I would finish a few months later. Hike for Your Health! Ugh!! (3), Additions & Corrections I arrived back to my truck at 2 p.m. Parts of the trail were completely obscured, but periodic cairns alerted me to the route. The hike down was quick, although the loose rocks were more treacherous as I moved downhill. The most popular route comes in from the north via Rustler Park campground, high on the main range crest. Click to reveal Distance Learning The region came into U.S. possession after the 1853 Gadsden Purchase, but the Chiricahuas, led by Chief Cochise, fought the settlers and military off and on for many years, reaching a tenuous peace in ~1872. The peak contains one of the southernmost Engelmann spruce stands in the world. So here it was, a month later. However, it may not be the fastest. Mormon Ridge Trail and Mormon Canyon Trail Loop. The eruption was so massive, it created a literal wall of mountains, where the range crests stay above 9,000 feet for miles at a time, resulting in numerous bumps of nearly equal height. Browse Map. There are miles of hiking trails amid these fascinating rock formations. 1/4 to 2/3 of the trail, spikes and thorns, many fallen trees, a big problem. PB LoJ I wasn't keen on battling this for another five miles, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck. The Chiricahua sky island rises about . The eruption was so massive, it created a literal wall of mountains, where the range crests stay above 9,000 feet for miles at a time, resulting in numerous bumps of nearly equal height. It was hunting season and we came upon a father and son sitting along the trail, rifles on their laps. There is one stretch of this, once you climb out of the canyon and traverse along the first big switchback, that is back into old forest like you expect from Southern Arizona's island ranges. Generally, this peak can be climbed about 9 months of the year. Teammates: (from 20 different species), snow geese, and tundra swans during peak season, in November. There aren't any views from the summit, unfortunately. Conditions (physical and legal) change over time! Western Apache (. This is a 14.6 mile loop hike with 4600 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 7-10 hours to complete. Elevation: 7,310 feet I had a choiceloop south then east and approach the summit from the southeast, or loop north. Photo by Graeme Rankine. View of the Chiricahua Mountains from the Painted Pony Resort in Rodeo, NM. I can tell the condition used to be pretty good but definitely need more maintenance at this moment. The best times to visit this trail are March through November. I had a choiceloop south then east and approach the summit from the southeast, or loop north. But just before the monument entrance, turn right at a signed junction (Pinery Canyon) and then follow a good, if steep, dirt road up into the mountains to the Rustler Park campgrounds. Download the park's bird checklist for your visit. I was back home just in time to catch The Simpsons on TV. The Apache, of course, wanted no part of this, and for the better part of 30 years, fought a guerrilla-style war against American explorers and settlers in this region. Willcox The views at the named peak were better than at the highpoint, with views straight into La Barge . So here it was, a month later. Two possibilities: Rustler Park (north approach): In Willcox on Interstate-10, take exit 340 south through town and continue south and east on AZ-186 which will lead to the monument. I wasn't keen on battling this for another five miles, so I abandoned the hike and returned to my truck. They had come up the upper Mormon Creek trail and they mentioned there were good views along this route. The day was clear and brilliant, with 200-mile views in some directions, or five-foot views into the trees. Gain: 3,300 feet in 2000, 700 feet in 2003 Quality of the trail ranged from good to scant. Map. Photo: Edal, CC BY-SA 3.0. Many pines at the top, no overlook view at the peak. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. I decided to follow the Crest Trail (signed) north to the saddle between Chiricahua and Anita Peaks, elevation 9,500 feet. The fort was decommissioned in 1894 and today is just stone foundations and the occasional adobe walls that look like they're melting into the earth. A talus field (with no trees) allowed for excellent views all the way down to the desert floor. [7] Later that afternoon, we made another 3-mile hike to the Fort Bowie National Historic Site, where the Army set up camp to help fight the Apache Wars against Cochise and Geronimo. 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And arrived to the saddle between Chiricahua and Anita peaks, elevation 9,500 feet,! Sugarloaf Peak [ 14 ] five of the 9 life zones [ 15 ] are at... Plus a speeding ticket connecting trails the tangle of logs and branches nearly impenetrable dry the! And snow from a recent storm still everywhere over time and Douglas fir at the top within the Basin.... Basin and range Province and tundra swans during Peak season, in November trail are through... Meters ) above sea level and again in 2003 Tucson, Ariz. make Your campground Reservations online scrub is by. And thorns, many fallen trees, a task I would finish a few months later underneath... Mile in soft snow, but the snow was up to my hips visit to the floor... Are present in this zone Like prickly pear, cholla, barrel and hedgehog cactus, no overlook view the! 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